Spiritual Development Communique #1

Submitted by: Carol Penno

Welcome to all Diocesan Spiritual Development chairpersons and especially Betty Houle from Nelson Diocese and Theresa Janssen of the Victoria Diocese who are new like me. We look forward to working with Dorothy Hruby from Kamloop Dioceses, Jill Greenlees from Prince George Diocese and Jenny Shaw from Vancouver Diocese as well as the member who does the Spiritual Development work for Whitehorse Diocese.

Summer has passed so quickly and with the hint of fall in the air it is time to prepare a communiqué. How opportune that my National counterpart Terri Scott submitted her first communiqué today. Terri is also new to this position and we congratulate her on her election to the National Executive. My summer was busier than usual as I was fortunate to attend the National Convention in Winnipeg as an accredited provincial delegate and have the spiritual component to report on.  This report will be separate from this communiqué. We had a wedding August 30, our granddaughter from Sicamous  was married  in our church in Golden.  It was a busy time indeed but a very special time as well.  Nothing else has changed in my life,  just another year older.

The very first item to comment on is that of reporting your deceased members.  Please fill out the latest form dated 2008 to report your deceased members, and print darkly to make it easier to read, and send it to me. Please be sure the mailing address is correct and council code entered. National needs this information to stop the mailing of The Canadian League Magazine. Another please note: Only the names that I have received will be forwarded to National for the National Book of Life so be certain that I get them.

Terri Scott has a wonderful communiqué providing much information.  She has a sub-committee of four… Member Claire McKay, Life Member Gabriele Kalincak, member Mary Ryan and Honorary Life Member Claire Heron. I too, will get a subcommittee.

Terri answered the question of where all the prayers and services come from:  They are conceived by members who are inspired by the Holy Spirit and often generated by a great need in the world or in their personal lives.  National President Danielle McNeil-Hessian has paired each national chairperson with a provincial president and commissioned each pair to formulate a prayer service. The final booklet will be available at the 2010 annual national convention.

One in the Spirit

The League’s newest program, One in the Spirit will be found under programs and the Spiritual Development heading.  Clair McKay has adapted the Spirituality a Day of Discovery programme which debuted in 1995.  Discovering one’s strengths and gifts at the beginning of the year is sure to strengthen the group as members discover their working style using the saints as a guide.  Encourage councils to use it at a meeting. Members won’t be disappointed – it’s fun and enlightening.

49th Eucharistic Congress

Terri mentioned that Cecile Miller is working on a report of the Congress held in Quebec City last June.  On June 22nd, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI urged Catholics to remember the theme, ”The Eucharist, Gift of God for the Life of the World.”    The video of this homily and many others are available at ECDQ.com.  They run from 13 minutes to over an hour long.

The Pauline Year

A special year to celebrate the bi-millennium of St. Paul the Apostle’s birth was dedicated by Pope Benedict XVI to run from June 28, 2008, to June 29, 2009. Information and leaflets for distribution can be found on the Vatican website. Year of St. Paul leaflets are available for free download on this website (follow the link on the right side to Year of St. Paul – Resources). These are intended to help people become more
familiar with St. Paul’s writings. This special year is designated as a chance to spend more time focusing attention on the bible and the Eucharist. Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians, “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (I Cor. 9:16).

Women of Peace and Hope

Starting January 2009, the League will have a new theme Women of Peace and Hope. For councils planning conventions now is the time to start thinking of how to incorporate this theme into their programs and decorations.

Resolutions

No resolutions were adopted under this standing committee this year.  Keep working on resolutions adopted in previous years.  Check the National website for current resolutions.  Even though it is only September, it is not too early to ask Canada Post to provide more religious postage stamps for Christmas.  They sell out quickly, ACT NOW.

In closing,  I invite you to email me with any suggestions, comments or questions.  I will do my utmost to help in anyway.  May our Lady of Good Counsel guide you in your good works and may God be generous with his blessings upon you.